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William Byrd, the rich Virginian who headed the expedition to draw the boundaries between North Carolina and Virginia was quite a saucy fellow and remarkably candid.
He’s speaking of the first colonists at Roanoke and reporting on what lazy ne’er do wells they were who managed somehow to survive the first few years.
They had now made peace with the Indians, but there was one thing wanting to make that peace lasting. The Natives could, by no means, perswade themselves that the English were heartily their Friends, so long as they disdained to intermarry with them. And, in earnest, had the English consulted their own Security and the good of the Colony — Had they intended either to Civilize or Convert these Gentiles, they would have brought their Stomachs to embrace this prudent Alliance.
The Indians are generally tall and well-proportion’d, which may make full Amends for the Darkness of their Complexions. Add to this, that they are healthy & Strong, with Constitutions untainted by Lewdness, and not enfeebled by Luxury. Besides, Morals and all considered, I cant think the Indians were much greater Heathens than the first Adventurers [at Roanoke], who, had they been good Christians, would have had the Charity to take this only method of converting the Natives to Christianity. For, after all that can be said, a sprightly Lover is the most prevailing Missionary that can be sent amonst these, or any other Infidels.
Besides, the poor Indians would have had less reason to Complain that the English took away their Land, if they had received it by way of Portion with their Daughters. Had such Affinities been contracted in the Beginning, how much Bloodshed had been prevented, and how populous would the Country have been, and consequently how considerable? Nor wou’d the Shade of the Skin have been any reporach at this day; for if a Moor may be washt white in 3 Generations, Sure an Indian might been blancht in two.
The French, for their Parts, have not been so Squeamish in Canada, who upon Trial find abundance of Attraction in the Indians. Their late Grand Monarch thought it not below even the Dignity of a Frenchman to become one flesh with this People, and therefore Order 100 Libres for any of his Subject, Man or Woman, that would intermarry with a Native.
By this piece of Policy we find the French Interest very much Strengthen’d amongst the Savages, and their Religion, such as it is, propagated just as far as their Love. And I heartily wish this well-concerted Scheme don’t hereafter give the French and Advantage over his Majesty’s good Subject on the Northern Continent of America.
Blunt language, eh? I guess we don’t need to say anymore that we suspected this was the mindset.
[This message has been edited by Linda (edited 07-25-2001).]
He’s a trip. There’s a story in the introduction illustrating how uninhibited his writing gets. In one of his journals he reports how he and his wife quarrelled one afternoon, but he ended it with a flourish. The flourish took place on the billiard table. Hahaha. He’s not totally reliable for the facts, but he does paint a full picture of the perceptions and prejudices of his class and time, definitely takes the starch out of our view of colonials. I’ll try to input what I find in the book relevant to the Saponi here.
I just made a few copies from his diaries. He’s very blunt and forthcoming with alot of his thoughts. Rather humorous if you ask me. Not much of a business head though.
Personally, I like the way he nicknames everyone. Kinda gives them a unique personification.
I’ve also made some notes from Jefferson’s “Notes on Virginia”. He doesn’t go into great detail of the Saponi but he does of the Monacan. I’ll transcribe and post on here later.
I was able to locate William Waller Hening’s books on the General Assembly of VA. There are about 13 or so of these books in sequence that state word for word the Acts put before the General Assembly from 1610 through ?.
I copied the act of 1710 that appoints lieutenants of rangers and their job descriptions that include how to deal with the Indians, ones that were taken that belonged to a warring tribe, how they were to be transported and sold. How to receive rewards for taking Indians who had killed the white man, etc.
Another act: The act directing the trial of Slaves, committing capital crimes: and for the more effectual punishing conspiracies and insurrections of them; and for the better government of Negros, Mulattos, and Indians, bond or free. dated 1733
Act III: An act to enable the Nottoway Indians to sell certain Lands therein mentioned: And for discharging the Indian Interpreters. dated 1734
Act IV: An Act for enforcing and rendring more effectual the Treaties already made, or hereafter to be made, with foreign Indians. (this one is about the 5 Nations, prior to the Tuscarora being brought in). dated 1733
Act V: An act for settling some doubts and differences of opinion, in relation to the benefit of lergy; for allowing the same to Women; and taking away the Reading; and to disable certain Persons, therein mentioned, to be witnesses. (This includes Slaves, Negros, Mulattos, Indians) Dated 1732
I will transcribe these and post them on the board under the right topic.
Crystal
Just found something I was really hoping for in Byrd’s history of the line book. I’ve been trying to envision what our ladies dressed like and thought it must be like White’s drawings. See http://jefferson.village.virginia.edu/vcdh/jamestown/images/white_debry_html/white36. html
Doesn’t seem like anybody knows. I had the idea of wearing something like a stretchy beige tank top to get around the toplessness and make it obvious to everyone that it’s not supposed to be there. When I suggested this to some re-enactors there was a big ballyhoo about what a terrible idea that was. Spandex at a re-enactment!!! But I still think it’s the way to go. We don’t have to invite them. hehe. I felt these apron/skirt things were made of fabric, but people were telling me no, our ladies wouldn’t be able to handle all that work, they just used leather. But hey, I know our ladies were intelligent. I know that. I know they took care of themselves and didn’t go around wearing things in 95 degree heat and humidity that gave them heat strokes and various nasty fungal problems (yuck). And Missippian culture had been here and they had textiles. Just because after the Mini Ice Age people decided to forego a stratified society and they weren’t quite as rich as they once were doesn’t mean they just forget everything they once knew. They’d keep what made sense, and a comfortable fabric in this heat makes sense.
Which brings us to Mr. Spritely Lover, our boy Will:
One of the men, who had been an old Indian Trader, brought me a Stem of Silk Grass, which was about as big as my little Finger. But, being so late in the Year that the Leaf was fallen off, I am not able to describe the Plant. The Indians use it in all their litte Manufactures, twisting a Thread of it that is prodigiously Strong. Of this they make their Baskets and the Aprons which their Women wear about their Middles, for Decency’s Sake. These are long enough to wrap quite round them and reach down to their Knees, with a Fringe on the under part by way of Ornament . . . . As this species of Silk Grass is much Stronger than Hemp, I make no doubt but Sail Cloth and Cordage might be made of it with considerable Improvement. (Bassett, 1901, p. 75.)
This is much too large a garment for finger weaving. Some type of loom had to have been used. Anybody have any idea what sweet grass is? Hey Crystal, Jimmy seems to know flora and fauna pretty well. What does he think?
I’d like to work towards making a really nice showing at the next summer Living Village in Hillsborough. Who else out there is willing to dress for the heat in a tank top and a mini skirt?
[This message has been edited by Linda (edited 08-03-2001).]
Barry found some dogbane. Guess where? Just done the road from Kerr Lake (Occaneechi Lake to us folks). At the same time he saw two eagles. How’s that for an omen?
It is easy to pull silky threads from right under the bark. Twisting together three or four strands would make a nice thread for weaving a fabric about the weight of linen. And it is strong.
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